Your Journey to Studying in the U.S. as an international student
As a Yemeni student, your journey to studying in the United States involves several important steps that can be summarized in:
- Selecting colleges
- Submitting college admission applications
- Applying for financial aid
- Attending interviews and applying for a visa if accepted
On this website, we will focus on the first three steps to help you get started.
Please note that while this guidance is applicable to all international students in general, many of the specific instructions and processes are tailored for students living in Yemen, and may not work the same for your country.
Sections of This page:
- Checklists
- Selecting Colleges
- Types of Applications
Checklists
A checklist is essentially a spreadsheet where you record every task you’ve completed or plan to complete in the college application process. Think of it as your "Step Zero" to start your application. Checklists may include:
- Academic or extracurricular activities timeline.
- Trainings or courses you are a part of.
- Webinars or sessions you will attend.
- Projects or personal initiatives.
- Deadlines for applications and tests (e.g., SAT, TOEFL, etc.).
Create a monthly checklist to track your progress. This will help you stay on schedule and ensure nothing is overlooked.
Here's a
checklist sample to get you started.
Selecting Colleges
You should not apply to random colleges you hear about casually. You should make a list of more than one college considering the following:
- Degree Type: Are you pursuing a bachelor’s, diploma, or master’s degree?
- Affordability: How much of your education cost will be covered? Is the scholarship fully-funded or partially-funded?
- Requirements: TOEFL or IELTS required scores or any other academic requirements
Avoid narrowing your search based on location, campus size, or academic programs, as this will limit your options.
Learn how to make your college list in the college search section.
Types of Applications
Admission Application
This is your official request to be considered for enrollment at a college or university.
There are two main ways to submit admission applications:
- Common App: A platform where you can apply to multiple U.S. colleges at once.
- The college’s official website: If it is preferred or does not charge an application fee, unlike on the Common App.
Learn how to fill out your Common App application in the Common App page.
Financial Aid Application
This is your request for financial support to cover tuition, housing, and other expenses.
There are three primary financial aid forms:
- CSS Profile: Used by many private colleges.
- ISFAA (International Student Financial Aid Application): A paper-based form used by colleges that don’t use the CSS Profile or do not offer fee waivers.
- FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): available to U.S. citizens and certain eligible non-citizens. International students usually do not fill out FAFSA unless they meet eligibility criteria.
Learn more about each financial aid form on the financial aid page.
